Wednesday 26th March 2008
(ref:
91/2008)
Counterfeit bottles of a well known brand of vodka have been discovered on sale in Leigh.
Following a complaint from a member of the public, council trading standards officers visited an off licence in the town and seized a small number of 70cl bottles of Glen's Vodka.
Similar fake bottles have been found on sale across the country in recent months. The strange taste of the vodka is the result of an unknown chemical composition that makes it unfit to drink.
Trading standards officers say there are a number of ways of checking whether bottles are genuine.
Real Glen's Vodka 70cl can be easily identified as the bottle, made by Allied Glass Containers, should have a small AGC logo around the base of the bottle. The counterfeit bottles also have "Ayrshire" mis-spelt on the front label – the letter ‘i’ is missing.
The fakes have the following codes embossed in the glass: SE607 700ml 66mm, 8509 700ml 66mm, 7828 700ml 66mm. Producers Glen Catrine do not use any of these bottles for 70cl Glen's Vodka.
Julie Middlehurst, Wigan Council’s Chief Trading Standards Officer, said:
“Licensees and the general public are being warned not to risk buying counterfeit alcohol from unusual sources. Anyone who has been offered or who has bought Glen’s Vodka which they suspect is fake can contact us on 01942 827476.“
